Talks on enhancing NATO presence in Romania
Romania and NATO Allies have been informed of the US decision to reduce the presence of its troops in Europe.
Daniela Budu, 03.11.2025, 14:00
The withdrawal of some US troops from Europe, including Romania, has a certain symbolism, but does not affect security in the region, said President Nicuşor Dan. “On the security side, Romania is a safe country. On the relationship between us and the United States, things are linear”, the head of state said , after the announcement of the reduction of US military personnel in Romania. According to the US Army Command for Europe and Africa, approximately 800 US soldiers are being repatriated from the Mihail Kogălniceanu Base (Constanța County, southeastern Romania) who will no longer be replaced according to the rotation for Eastern Europe. This is not a US withdrawal from Europe or a signal of a reduced commitment to NATO and Article 5, a press release from the United States Army reads. Rather, it is a positive sign of increasing European capacity and responsibility. Our NATO allies are responding to President Trump’s call to assume primary responsibility for the conventional defense of Europe, the document says.
Several personalities in the field of defense and US congressmen intend to block the Pentagon’s plan to withdraw troops from Romania and other NATO areas on the border with Russia. The chairmen of the Defense Committees of the two chambers of the US Congress, the Senate and the House of Representatives, issued a joint statement expressing their concern about the Pentagon’s announcement. In turn, the US Ambassador to NATO, Matthew Whitaker, emphasizes that the United States remains committed to Romania as a trusted ally of the Alliance, a vital strategic partner and a driver of security in Europe.
On Friday, the European Commission estimated that the United States’ decision to partially withdraw its troops from the Mihail Kogălniceanu base in Romania demonstrates the need for the community bloc to increase its defense spending. France announced that it will remain a firm ally of Romania, given that its own security is dependent on that of NATO’s Eastern Flank. From Bucharest, Defense Minister Ionuţ Mosteanu said that the decision related to the resizing of the military presence at Mihail Kogălniceanu does not represent a cause for concern and said that the American forces remain unchanged at the other bases. According to him, around 900-1000 American soldiers will remain in Romania, slightly above the level before the war in Ukraine began. It should also be mentioned that at the Cincu Training Area, in Brașov County (central Romania), the military exercise ‘Dacian Fall’ is under way, which brings together and tests the skills of over 5,000 NATO soldiers. Also, on November 5 and 6, the NATO Industry Forum will take place in Bucharest, a strategic event organized every two years, which NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is also expected to attend. (EE)
